Ombudsman presidency questioned in CCC inquiry

The Corruption and Crime Commission continues to interrogate Western Australian ombudsman Chris Field on his overseas travel and potential conflict with his international role.

The CCC public hearing into Mr Field’s alleged imprudent spending of public resources has been scheduled for three days.

Mr Field was reappointed for a fourth five-year term as WA ombudsman in March 2022, becoming the country’s longest serving ombudsman.

In May 2021, Mr Field started his four-year term as president of the International Ombudsman Institute, making him the first Australian to be elected in the role in the organisation’s history.

The corruption watchdog started an investigation into Mr Field’s conduct in September 2023, with the inquiry to focus on his spending, finances, expenditure for international travel, and governance matters in the Office of the Ombudsman of WA.

CCC assisting counsel Kirsten Nelson today asked a series of questions to Mr Field on his role as IOI president and whether he was performing his duties under the relevant law while he was overseas.

“You don’t see being present in the office [as] an important part of the ombudsman of WA?,” Ms Nelson asked.

Mr Field claimed he has never stopped performing his duties as state’s ombudsman while he was overseas.

“Being on international travel for perhaps … six to seven weeks of the year which during that time I’m in constant contact by phone and by email with all of my staff, is in no conflict at all with my duties,” he said.

“I never was derelict in my duties as ombudsman.”

When asked by CCC commissioner John McKechnie if he ever considered there would be a conflict between his state and international duties, Mr Field said he had never considered it.

“This view of yours of co-mingling of your two roles, may not be right,” Mr McKechnie said.

The hearing is expected to close tomorrow.